Insttlated electric conductor and the method of



Dec. 6, 1932. A. P. HINSKY INSULATED ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR AND THE IE'I'HODOP MPLYING COLORED SURFACES THERETO Filed larch 17. 1932 ATT NEYPatented Dec. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES ANTHONY I. HINSKY, OF BROOKLYN, NEWYORK, ASSIGNOR TO E. 11'. TROTTER & CO-,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK INSULATED ELECTRICCONDUCTOR AND THE METHOD OF APPLYING COLORED SURFACES THERETOApplication filed March 17, 1932. Serial No. 599,431.

This invention relates to insulated circuit wires as well as to a methodof producing wires of this class, the fibrous jacket of which is treatedwith a waterproof and flame retarding compound or compounds as well asWitha colored coating in the form of a powdered mineral and a finalcoating of transparent or colored material to give to the finishedproduct a predetermined color value to distinguishit from otherconductors; the invention further relates to the use of the methodherein defined in the treatment of diately after applying thewaterproofing or fire repellant compound thereto or while said compoundis still in a warm, tacky state so that the powdered mineral will adhereto the conductor and form a coatin thereon, permittin the application ofa nal coating or film w ich Wlll operate to support and pro tect thecolored-mineral on the conductor;

a further object being to provide a method of producin coloredconductors of the class specified, w erein the fibrous jacket of theconductor is first treated with two compounds, one of greater viscositythan the other; a further object being to provide a method of producincondiictors of the class specified, wherein t e. separate compounds,

minerals or coatings are applied in a succes-- sive series ofoperations, thereby saving unnecessary handling of the product in theprocess of manufacture and also increasing the volume productionthereof; and with these and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in a conductor of the class and for the purpose specified,constructed in accordance with the method more fully hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawin forms a part, in which the separate parts0 my'improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in eachof the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is'a diagrammatic view illustrating theseveral steps in themethod of producing a conductor according to my invention; and,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a part of a conductor indicating theapplication of the separate insulating, Waterproof and fireproof, andcoloring materials and compounds thereto.

For the purpose of illustrating one mannor of producing conductors inaccordance with my invention, I have diagrammatically illustrated inFig. 1 the several ste s in the method and the apparatus employe forthis purpose. At this time, it will be understood that I am notrestricted to the s'pecifictype or arrangement of apparatus nor tothe'speclfic steps herein disclosed.

In the drawing, '5 representsfa rel'of an insulated conductor strandconsisting .-.of 'a wire 6, a body of rubber 7 and a fabricfjacket 8 asseen in Fig. 2 of the drawin The jacket 8 is preferably in the form 0 acotton braid, but may be of any desired texture and structure. Theinsulated wire 5a from the reel 5 first passes into and through a tank v9 containing a waterproofing com o'sition or saturant 10, the latterbein heate by a suitable heater 11,- positioned below the tank 9,

and the wirepas's'es over a guide roller 12 downwardly into the tank andaround two tank. In passing through the tank 9, the

compound 10 is applied to the jacket 8 as" indicated in Fig. 2, and thiscompound thoroughly impregnates the fibres of the jacket as will beapparent.

. From the tank 9, the treated wire 51; passes into arid through a tank16 containing another compound 17 preferably of greater viscosity thanthe compound 10, and also preferably having fire repellantcharacteristics. The compound 17 is maintained in a heated state by asuitable heater 18. In passing into and through the tank 16, the wirefirst passes over a guide roller 19 downwardly around two sheaves 20 and21, and then over another guide roller 22. i

From the tank 16, the wire thus treated passes directly into a hopper orcontainer 23 in which is disposed a powdered colored min:

eral. 24, which adheres to the compound 17 by reason of the fact that.the latter is still in a slight] heated or plastic or tacky state, butnot su ciently so to in any material way obliterate the color value ofthe powdered mineral. In passing through the hopper 23, the wire travelsaround a sheave 25 and then through a die or other device 26 for.removing the surplus powder. From the die, the wlre passes around aguide roller or pulley 27, and then into and through another tank 28containing a solution 29, which forms the final coating of theconductor, and which may consist of a transparent material or a coloredmaterial of a color consistent with that of from the wire or conductorby agitation rather than by use of the die 26..

After passing through the 'tank 28, the treated conductor passes througha die 31 which applies the coating 29 to the conductor in a smooth, evenand polished state to produce a neat and finished appearance. When thefinal coating is thoroughly dry, the conductor is coiled upon areceiving reel 32.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, I haye indicated at a: and w, two gaps inthewire or conductor, the ga m being disposed between the tanks 9 an .17and the gap a2 between the die 31 and reel 32. It will be understoodthat between these points, the wires may be passed through dryers orother drying means to facilitate the setting of the compounds orcoatings to. the wire, as will be apparent. However, it will beunderstood that the gap at this not absolutely necessary, nor in fact,15 the gap :0 required.

It will also be a parent that my invention 1s not limited to t eapplication of two distinct coatings, or com ounds to the fibrous jacket8 prior to applylng the powdered mineral thereto, as a single compoundmay be employed, upon which the powdered mineral 1s irectly ap lied. Thepowdered mineral may consist o? a compound of suitable substancescontaining a' color pigment of the desired color, which aftercompounding and drying into a harder solidified state, is broken up andground into powdered or granular form to facilitate its application tothe conductor in the manner herein set out.

This powdered substance may be produced from paraflin, carnauba wax,synthetic wax and a small percentum of synthetic resin compounded witheach other and with the sisting compound, but will merely adhere theretobecause of the sticky or tacky characteristics of the compoun With myimproved process, the inexpensive black and waterproof, fire repellentcompounds may be employed in the treatment of the fabric jacket, withoutdanger of distortion in the color value of the powdered mineral, andthis result is accomplished by using the powdered colored mineral ratherthan a colored solution, in which latter instance, the black compoundwould tend to change or modify the true color value of the resultingconductor.

It will also be apparent that whileI have referred to the application ofa powdered mineraltoa compound while the compound is in a heated ortacky state, that the compound may be applied and allowed to dry andcool or if it is of a consistency that will not produce a. tacky orsticky outer surface, a powdered mineral may be employed which can beheated sufiiciently to cause adhesion to the compound when appliedthereto. It will be cient to cause adhesion thereof to the compound. Itwill be further understood that the compound need not necessarily beheated in its application to't-he'insulation of the conductor, as thecompound may be dissolved in a solvent and apphed cold.

It will be understood that my invention is not limited to the productionof a cable in accordance with the specific elements herein defined norin accordance with the process or method set out, and various otherchanges-in and modifications of the structure and method herein definedmay be made within the scope of the appended claims without depart-- ingfrom the spirit of the invention or sacrificing-its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters 1. The process of treating the insulated jacket, thenapplying to the jacket a pow- 1E;

sion of the dered colored substance having sticky characteristics whensubjected to heat, and then covering the powdered substance with a film,retaining said substance against displacement from the jacket of theconductor.

. 2. The process of treating the insulated jacket of an electricconductor which comprises first applying a liquid compound to the acket,then applying a powdered colored substance including a binder to thejacket treated with the compound, and then covering the powderedsubstance with a film, retaming said substance against displacement fromthe jacket of the conductor, and applying the powdered substance to thejacket while the compound is in a plastic state to insure adhesionbetween the powdered substance and compound.

3. The process of treating the insulated jacket of an electric conductorwhich comprises first applying a liquid compound to the jacket, thenapplying a powdered coating comprising a color pigment and a binder tothe jacket treated with the compound, and then covering said coatingwith a film of transparent material forming an outer protector sheathfor the powdered coating, through which the color value of the powderedcoating is visible. 1

4. A process of treating the fibrous covering of an insulated electricconductor which consists in first applying a blacl: waterproofing)saturant to said covering, then applying a lack flame repellant compoundthereto, then applying a colored powdered mineral including a wax binderto the covering treated with the compounds so as to cause adhesion ofthe powdered mineral to the con: ductor, and then enclosing theconductor thus formed in an outer film for supporting the powderedmineral thereon.

5. A process of treating the fibrous covering of an insulated electricconductor which consists in first applying a black waterproofingsaturant to said covering, then applying a black flame repellantcompound thereto, then applying a colored powdered mineral including awax binder to the covering treated with the compounds so as to causeadhepowdered mineral to the conductor, then enclosing the conductor thusformed in an outer film forsupportingv the powdered mineral thereon, andemploying in the film coating a material of a color value consistentwith that of the powdered mineral.

6. A process of treatingthe fibrous covering of an insulated electricconductor which consists in first applying a black waterproofingsaturant to said covering, then applying a black flame repellantcompound thereto, then applying a colored powdered mineral including abinder to the covering treated with the compounds .so as .to causeadhesion of the powdered mineral to the conductor, removing the surpluspowdered mineral from the conductor, and then enclosing the conductorthus formed in an outer film for supporting the powdered mineralthereon.

7. The herein described process of applying an opaque colored jacket tothe insulation of an electric conductor, which consists in firsttreating the insulation with awaterproof and flame repella-nt compound,then covering the treated insulation with a jacket consisting of coloredopaque particles having sticky characteristics when subjected to heatand adhering to said treated insulation, and then enclosing said jacketin a coating maintaining the colorvalue of said jacket.

8. The herein described process of applying an opaque colored jacket toan elongated, fibrous strand, which comprises first-treating the strandwith a compound having sticky characteristics, then covering the treatedstrand with a jacket consisting of colored opaque particles including abinder, said particles adhering to andenveloping said com pound, andthen enclosing said jacket in a coating maintaining the color value ofsaid jacket and giving predetermined color value to said strand. v

9. A process of treating a fibrous strand to give predetermined colorvalue thereto, which comprises first treating the strand with a heatedfiuid,. then applying a colored powdered mineral including a binder tothe compound on the strand while in a heated state to insure adhesion ofthe powdered mineral thereto, removing the surplus mineral to form acolored jacket evenly disposed on said strand, and then enclosing thecolored jacket with a coatin maintaining the powdered substance of t ejacket against accidental displacement from the strand.

10. The herein described method of pro-- ducing elongated fibrousstrands of the class described with outer coatings of predeterminedcolor, which consists in first treating the strand with a compoundimpregnating the fibres thereof, then applying another compound to saidstrand having a viscosity greater than that of the first compound, thenapplying a colored powdered substance comprising a color pigment and awax-like bind er to the last compound to cause adhesion be- 1 tween thepowdered substance and viscous compound without disturbing the outercolor value of the powdered substance, and then applying a retainingcoating or film to said powdered substance maintaining the colorvalueofsaid powdered substance.

11-. The process of treating a predetermined surface, which comprisesfirst applying a compound thereto, then applying a powdered coatingcomprising a colored pigment and a binder having sticky characteristicsto the compound, and then covering the powdered coating with a filmretaining said L(oating against displacement from the surace.

4- 5 1,aeo,ae1

12. In the art of applying coatings to a fibrous, strand-like body, acompound having sticky characteristics applied directly on saidbody, acolored powdered substance in- 5 cludin a binder enveloping the compoundand ad ered thereto by the'sticky characteristics of the compound, andan outer coating enveloping the powdered substance and retainin thecolor value thereof.

13. n the art of electrical insulation, an

electric wire with an insulating jacket, said jacket being treated witha waterproof and fire resistant compound, a colored powdered coatingincluding a binder enveloping the compound and adhered thereto, and anouter coating, of transparent material enveloping said coating. Intestimony that I claim the i foregoing as my invention I have signed myname this 16th day of March, 1932.

ANTHONY P. HINSKY.

